Former Pres. Clinton Says Obama Tax Deal Is A “Good Bill”

Washington — Former President Bill Clinton sought to use his clout with Democratic lawmakers to get President Barack Obama’s tax deal with Republicans passed over the objections of lawmakers in his own party

“This is a good bill,” Clinton said about the compromise agreement Obama reached with congressional Republicans to extend tax cuts and unemployment benefits beyond this year.

Standing alongside Obama after the two men met private in the Oval Office Dec. 10, Clinton called the deal a “significant net plus.” Still, he said he understands the resistance from congressional Democrats to keeping Bush-era tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans and to an estate-tax provision that would set the top rate at 35 percent after a $5 million tax-free allowance per individual.